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Goldstream Christmas

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Twas the night before Christmas in Goldstream, Alaska. "Could it get any colder," said Papa,"I'll ask yer?" The hills were all covered with homes old and new Neat cabins and trailers, and tarps made of blue. The stockings were taped to the table with duct Hanging them by the woodstove would have pushed our luck. The children were snuggled all warm in their beds While visions of Hot Licks danced in their heads. And Papa in his long johns, and me in my fleece Had just settled down for a nip, and some peace. When out in the yard there arose such a racket, Like the dogs when they foller a rabbit to track it. Away to the doorway I went with a light Grumpy as heck and most ready to fight. The moon on the breast of the old, hard-packed snow Showed all of the places the dogs like to go. When what to my wondering eyes should appear But a dogsled, eight huskies, and a dude with a beard He looked fat and jolly tho' the dogs were a barking I saw on his bumper "Ivor...
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Out with the old

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It's New Year's Eve, 2009. I usually think of my life in school years, August to July, instead of calendar years, but this year is a bit different. I'm ready for 2009 to come to a close. A quick review of 2009... in January, my dad passed. I'll never forget the sound of my brother's voice when he called me at school that afternoon. I was about to start a Hamlet activity in AP English. My students were awesome. They realized that something was up when I got off the phone. I think I said something like, "Hey guys, I think my dad just died and I need to go make a phone call. Here's the assignment and the videos are all cued up." Two girls were awesome and assured me all would be well as they ushered me out the door. In February, I turned 40. 'Nuff said. March, April, May were busy with family. One child was really struggling with lots of school & health issues, others were just "normal" kids. My Grammie, who went from living i...
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What a difference....

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 One thing I love about Facebook is "Facebook Memories."  Today's memory showed Bob shoveling a crap ton (yes that's a technical measurement) of snow while the Water Wagon truck was stuck on our road. Caption mentioned 24" of fresh snow..... wow.   Today I had the front door open all day.  It was about 58 degrees, and sunny and not much wind and an absolutely beautiful day in NoGa.    I've always lived in Alaska (brief stints someplace else don't really count) and I'm still adjusting to life down here.  It's definitely different.  When I went to Oregon in January, I just felt more free to be me.  I can't really pin it down.  Maybe that I didn't feel self-conscious going out as a scrub, in flannels and even pajama bottoms and 2 day old hair? Maybe that there were more dirty cars, Carhartts and cracked windshields?  Maybe that there was a more laid back aura that didn't seem as dependent on material goods and appearances?  I...
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